Jetstar to put iPad on in-flight menu

TRAVELLERS wanting to experience Australia's hottest new hi-tech gadget will be able to rent one on some Jetstar flights later this month.

The low-cost Qantas offshoot has signed a deal with Apple to become one of the first airlines in the world to trial iPads for its in-flight entertainment.

Passengers will be able to rent the mobile devices on selected longer flights to watch new release movies, browse television programs, read an e-book, listen to music or play games, reports The Australian.

Jetstar is hoping to charge passengers $10 to rent the iPad on board is also looking at adding its in-flight magazine to the tablets.

Jetstar marketing general manager David May said the initial two-week trial would be on domestic flights longer than an hour. Thirty units would be on each test aircraft.

"If the trial works, we want to put them on every aircraft because they're so much slimmer and lighter than our existing units," he said.

"It means we'll be able to get more on and it means more people will be able to have the entertainment service."

There has been a strong response to the new units, released in Australia last week, with some Apple stores quickly selling out of the 3G versions.

Jetstar chief executive Bruce Buchanan said the airline was also anticipating a good response to the offering.

"Given the demand for the iPad so far, I anticipate it will have strong appeal amongst our passengers," he said.

"Based on demand for the iPads as part of the trial, we'll be looking to roll out the devices across our entire domestic and international network later in the year."

The Australian's iPad application has also proved a hit and was the third most popular paid app over the weekend.

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